Hypodermic syringe and cartridge therefor



April 11, 1939. SAFFIR- HYPODERMIG SYRINGE AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR FiledJune 25, 1954 Patented Apr. 11, 1939 PATENT OFFICE HYPODERMIC SYRINGEAND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Jacob A. Saflir, Rockford, Ill., assignor toMultiple Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 25, 1934, Serial No. 732,241

10 Claims. ((31. 128-220) My invention relates to hypodermic syringes ofthe kind embodying a normally sealed medicament package or cartridge.

I have aimed to provide improved means for hypodermic medication,particularly with a view to obtaining greater economies in the cost ofmedicament packages or cartridges and in this way to promote moreextensive use of a higher type of hypodermic medication. I have alsoaimed to provide an improved hypodermic syringe and medicament cartridgedesigned for promoting sterility in hypodermic injections under the manyconditions and requirements of this practice. A further object of myinvention is to improve the construction of hypodermic syringes andmedicament cartridges witha view to preventing or avoidingcontaminations which are apt to result from the use of prior devicesasfor example where a second injection is made with the same cartridgeand the medicament is contaminated by reason of the sucking-back actionthrough the needle. Another objection to prior devices which is overcomeby my invention is the troubles incident to rubber stoppers on thecartridge tubes being forced oil or released 'on account of internalpressure of the fluid medicament during the ejecting operation.

Among the furtherobjects of my invention is the provision of an improvedhypodermic syringe and medicament cartridge one of the features of whichis an aseptic packaging and dispensing cartridge having a plurality ofseparate" medicament containing chambers whereby given quantities orvarieties of medicaments are selectively available in a singlecartridge, thus promoting certain economies and advantages in thepractice of hypodermic medication referred to hereinafter.

A further object of my invention is to provide as a new article ofmanufacture, a plural chamber hypodermic cartridge.

A further object is to provide an improved hypodermic syringe in whichthe medicament is discharged from the -medicament containing chamber ofthe cartridge by a piston closure in the lower end of the cartridgecaused to eject the medicament by downward movement of plunger means onthe syringe.

Other objects and attendant advantages will beappreciated bythose'skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreferenceto the folowing description when considered in connection withthe accompanyingdrawing, in which- Figure 1' is a longitudinal sectionof a hypodermic syringe and cartridge therefor, embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing a modified form ofmedicament ejecting 'tridge container used'with the form shown in 15Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken on the section .line 8'-8 of Fig. 5.

My invention contemplates the provision of a medicament containingcartridge or package 20 having a plurality of separate medicamentcontaining chambers each of which is preferably permanently sealed atone end and is provided with a normally closed sealing means at theopposite end such, for example, as a pierceable piston 010- 25 sureadapted to eject the fluid medicament by being forced lengthwise in thechamber, also the provision of a suitable hypodermic syringe or holderin which the plural chamber cartridge may be positioned with anyselected chamber in 30 fluid ejecting relation with the needle. The

cartridge or ampule, as it is sometimes called,

may be constructed in any of various ways and of difl'erent materials,but I prefer to employ a tubular glass body. Within this body I provide35 one or more partitions dividing the body into a plurality of separatechambers each adapted to contain a fluid medicament in sterile conditionand isolated from the other chamber or chambers in the body. Thesepartitions may extend 40 lengthwise of the tubular body or transversethereto and may be formed in various ways. The chambers in eachcartridge may be of the same or difierent volumetric capacity and maycontain the same or different medicaments accord- 45 ing to theconditions or requirements of use, as will be explained more fullyhereinafter. By making the chambers permanently sealed except at thefluid ejection end and by providing a plurality of such chambers in asingle tubular body 5 I obtain greater economy in cost of manufactureand at the same time obtain certain distinct advantages and avoidcertain objections in prior artdevices. For example, it is commonpractice to use medicament containing cartridges in the form of glasstubes having a rubber piston type closure in one end and a rubberstopper at the opposite end. These rubber stoppers, ,closures or tipsnot infrequently are forced off or are loosened from the tube byinternal pressure of the fluid during the ejecting operation,particularly when the needle encounters dense tissue or bony structure,causing lossof the fluid and embarrassment to the practitioner onaccount of the necessity of reloading the syringe and making a secondapplication; Again, where a second injection is to be made with fluidfrom the same cartridge, or where the remaining fluid is used for aninjection on another patient (a practice to be condemned), there isconsiderable likelihood of contamination on account of the back-suctionof blood or matter from the patients tissue with the result that if themedicament is to be sterile for each injection it is necessary to employa fresh cartridge for every use.

With. my invention the multichamber cartridge can be producedapproximately at the cost of a singlecartridge, thus reducing the costof cartridges per application and promoting more general use of a highertype of hypodermic medication. Cartridges made according to my inventionlend themselves particularly well to embodiment in convenient sizes andcapacities so that less space is occupied for packing, carrying andstorage. Another advantage is that the cartridge is quickly accessiblefor second use because it is only necessary for the practitioner toreposition or index the cartridge in the syringe. This invention is alsoparticularly advantageous where the treatment calls for predeterminedquantities or medicaments designated by number, such as treatment No. land No. 2, inasmuch as the single cartridge contains plural chamberswhich may be designated by the particular treatment numerals and usedselectively or in succession.

The medicament containing cartridge or package shown in the drawing isin the form of a glass tube designated generally by the referencenumeral ID. This tube is provided with one or more interior partitionswhich may be either longitudinally or transversely disposed in suchmanner as to form a plurality of separate and independent medicamentchambers permanently sealed at one end and normally sealed at theopposite end by a closure which may also serve as a plunger for ejectingthe fluid medicament. A cartridge having interior partitionslongitudinally and transversely disposed in accordance with theinvention herein disclosed is illustrated in my application for patent,Serial No. 753,826, filed November 20, 1934. Where the partitions aretransversely disposed as shown in the drawing the cartridge is dividedinto two chambers. In the form shown in Figure 1, a transverse partitionII is cast or otherwise suitably formed integral with the cylindricalbody or cartridge dividing the same into chambers l2 and I3. In the formshown in Fig. 3 a partition i4 is inserted and sealed at its peripheraledge in an internal groove in the wall of the cartridge. In the formshown in Fig. 4 the tubular glass body is constricted at a medial pointas at l5 by pinching, or by a rolling or spinning operation when hot,

or by any other suitable method, to permanently separate the medicamentchambers and seal the inner end of each such chamber from the other.This I believe to be the most commercially practicable form because ofits structural merit, as well as its low cost of manufacture. Eachmedicament chamber is normally sealed at its open end by suitable meanssuch as a rubber piston type closure IS, the periphery of which may begrooved to facilitate the piston action and improve the sealingcondition. In this form of my invention each rubber piston is adapted tobe pierced by a needle or canula having communication with thehypodermic needle or formed integrally therewith. My invention, however,in its broader aspect is not limited to this particular means of closingthe open end of each chamber or of ejecting the fluid medicament butcomprehends any suitable means for closing such open ends and also anysuitable means for establishing a fluid ejection passage communicatingbetween the selected chamber and the hypoder mic needle. It will benoted that the cartridge is a self-contained unit, ready for immediateuse, which may be produced as a separate article of manufacture, therespective chambers of which are normally sealed and containpredetermined quantities or varieties of medicament according to theintended use.

The hypodermic syringe of which the medicament containing cartridge is acomponent part, may be suitably formed to hold the cartridge. Thesyringe includes a hypodermic needle and means preferably in the natureof a plunger for manipulation by the fingers for effecting the ejectionof the medicament from the cartridge. The embodiments herein shown arefor purpose of illustration, one form, Fig. 1, having a plunger forforcing the cartridge lengthwise in the barrellilre body of the holderand having means within the holder for causing the lowermost piston tobe forced. lengthwise in its chamber in a fluid ejecting action when thecartridge is so moved, and the other form, Fig. 5, having means forforcing the selected piston lengthwise in its chamber while thecartridge remains at rest. Referring more particularly to Fig. l, thebarrel body it is equipped 'at its lower end with a suitable removablehypodermic needle lt which in this instance is extended inwardly toprovide a canula l 9 adapted for piercing the piston. Within the barrelbody is provided a stationary abutment 2! located a distance from theneedle end of the body corresponding substantially with the length ofthe longest chamber within the cartridge. In the operating condition,the cartridge rests on the abutment 2|, the piston l6 bearing directlyagainst said abutment. The barrel body is equipped at its upper end witha suitable plunger 22 the head 23 of which bears against the adjacentend wall of the glass tube and is adapted by operation of the plunger toforce the cartridge lengthwise in the barrel body in a. fluid ejectingstroke without disturbing the upper piston, it being observed that thefluid in the lower chamber I3 will be displaced through the hypodermicneedle by reason of the piston action. In this instance, the plunger 22is guided in a bearing cap threaded onto the barrel body. Suitablefinger grips are provided for manipulating the plunger. It is immaterialwhether the piston is pierced by the canula I!) by the act of insertingthe cartridge into position or by the action of the plunger after thesyringe and cartridge have been completely assembled. I provide on theinner face of each piston one or more projecting bumper elements 25adapted to strike against the partition or end wall I I to prevent thepoint of the piercing canula from striking said wall.

In the form shown in Fig. 2 the hypodermic needle l8 and the canula I9are formed integral with a piston abutment 26 and this part is alsoshaped to provide an annular retaining collar 21.

,A nut element 28 clamps the retaining collar 21 abutment 3i operated bya plunger device 32 through the intermediary of suitable flexibleelements such as spring ribbons33. In this form the canula 34 isextended into close proximity to the partition II in order thatsubstantially all of the fluid may be ejected. The cartridge may beretained in the holder body by any suitable means which will permit ofselective positioning or indexing of the cartridge to place any selectedmedicament chamber in ejecting relation with the hypodermic needle. Inthis instance I have shown the cartridge l inserted into a removablecartridge holder or container through the lower open end thereof. Thiscartridge container in turn is adapted to be inserted into the barrelbody through the opening 36 in the movable plunger element andreleasably retained in operative position on the barrel body by means ofa bayonet joint connection 31 or any suitable means, The face of therubber piston closure l6, shown in Fig. 5, is covered by a thin metallicsheath 3B which may be of aluminum or a suitable metallic foilpierceable by the canula and serving to add rigidity to the face of thepiston. This sheath not only reenforces the face of the piston andprevents distortion of the latter by reason of the action of the pistonengaging member but is also adapted for flaming before use of thecartridge. The sheath may be advantageously employed in all forms of theinvention above described and is also adapted for general application toany medicament cartridge having a" piston closure.

Among the advantages of my invention will be noted the novel embodimentof a medicament cartridge within a hypodermic syringe in which themedicament containing chamber is sealed at its upper end and has apierceable plunger closure in its lower end and in which the handoperated plunger is moved in a downward stroke to effect discharge ofthe medicament from the chamber through said closure which in turn has,in effect, a movement opposite to that of said hand plunger resultingeither from downward bodily movement of the cartridge as in the formshown in Figure l. or upward movement of the piston closure as in theform shown in Fig. 5. Another advance in this art which promotes greaterpracticability of my invention is the bodily movement of the cartridgeby direct manua1 operation of the plunger to effect discharge of themedicament through the hypodermic needle. In this connection, it will benoted that the plunger acts against the end. wall of the glass tube andeffects discharge of the liquid medicamentby a pressure stroke directlyagainst the butt-end of the tube without disturbing the tamination. Itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that my inventionenables greater economy in the cost of cartridges and also promotes moreextensive use of a higher type of sterile hypodermic medication.

The term medicament" is used herein and in the claims as meaning anyliquid or fluid medi-.

cine to be administered by means of hypodermic injection. The claimsare, therefore, to be interpreted broadly with this in mind; and while Ihave, for purpose of illustration, shown and described severalembodiments, it should be understood that my invention may be embodiedin other forms within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, inwhich I claim:

1. A hypodermic syringe having a hypodermic needle and a tubularcartridge provided with a plurality of medicament containing chamberssealed from one another each permanently closed at one end and having apierceable closure at the opposite end, each of said closures beingpierceable by the hypodermic needle while maintaining the seal betweenthe chambers, whereby to permit of selective ejection of the medicamentcontents of the several chambers for hypodermic injection of saidmedicament through the needle.

2. In a hypodermic syringe comprising, in combination, a medicamentcartridge having a plurality of separate medicament containing chamberseach provided with a pierceable piston closure, a cartridge holderequipped with a hypodermic needle, the medicament cartridge being heldin the holder in a stationary position with one of its piston closuresin ejecting relation to the needle, said piston closure in such relationbeing in close proximity to the needle of the holder, means for piercingsaid plunger closure for establishing communication between said chamberand the hypodermic needle, said cartridge and piercing means adapted tobe brought into operatit a relation with any piston closure in saidejecting position, and plunger means on the holder including a pistonengaging member for forcing the piercing piston closure into its chamberfor ejecting the medicament through the needle.

3. A cartridge for use in a syringe having a piercing hypodermic needlethrough which the contents of the cartridge can be ejected, saidcartridge comprising a tubular body open at each end and having a fixed,permanent and imperforate partition intermediate its ends dividing itinto separate non-communicating chambers, and a piston closure in theouter end of each chamber, each chamber being permanently separated fromthe other by said partition, and each chamber being imperforate betweenthe partition and its piston closure, the contents, of each chamberbeing dischargeable therefrom independently of the other when thecartridge is used in a syringe adapted to receive either end thereof incooperative relation with a canula or hypodermic needle, and when thepiston closure at such end is moved inwardly into its respective chamberin a piston action for forcibly expelling the contents thereof throughthe said canula or needle.

4. A syringe comprising, in combination, a cartridge holder, a plunger,a canula or needle projecting within the cartridge holder, a cartridgecomprising a tubular body open at each end and having a fixed, permanentand imperforate partition intermediate its ends dividing the body intoseparate incommunicable chambers, and a piston closure in the outer endof each chamber, each chamber being separated from the other by saidpartition, the piston closures being individually pierceable by saidcanula depending on selective positioning of the cartridge in the holderwith either end of the cartridge in cooperative relation with saidcanula, and an abutment fixed in the cartridge holder adjacent to saidcanula, the cartridge adapted to be positioned within said holderintermediate said plunger and said abutment with said abutmentbearingagainst the piston closure pierced by the canula and the plungerbearing against the opposite end of the cartridge body so that thrust ofthe plunger is directly against said body, the plunger being operable tomove the cartridge lengthwise in the holder and force the pierced pistonclosure against said abutment inwardly into its chamber to forciblyexpel the contents thereof through said canula, the cartridge beingreversible end for end in the holder to position the other chamber insaid cooperative relation between the plunger and the abutment.

5. A syringe comprising, in combination, a cartridge holder, a plunger,a canula or needle projecting within the cartridge holder, a cartridgecomprising a tubular body open at each end and having a fixed, permanentand imperforate partition intermediate its ends dividing the body intoseparate incommunicable chambers, and a piston closure in the outer endof each chamber, each chamber being separated from the other by saidpartition, the piston closures being individually pierceable by saidcanula depending on selective positioning of the cartridge in the holderwith either end of the cartridge in cooperative relation with saidcanula, and an abutment fixed in the cartridge holder adjacent to saidcanula, the cartridge adapted to be positioned within said holderintermediate said plunger and said abutment with the plunger bearingagainst one end of the cartridge body and the abutment bearing againstthe pierceable piston closure, the plunger being operable to move thepierced piston closure inwardly into its chamber to forcibly expel thecontents thereof through said canula, the cartridge being reversible endfor end in the holder to position the other chamber in said cooperativerelation between the plunger and the abutment.

6. A syringe comprising, in combination, a

cartridge holder, 2. plunger, a canula or needle projecting within thecartridge holder, a cartridge comprising a tubular body open at each endand having a fixed, permanent and imperforate partition intermediate itsends dividing the body into separate incommunicable chambers, and apiston closure in the outer end of each chamber, each chamber beingpermanently separated from the other by said partition, the pistonclosures being individually pierceable by said canula depending onselective positioning of the cartridge in the holder with either end ofthe cartridge in cooperative relation with said canula, and an abutmentfixed in the cartridge holder adjacent to said canula, the cartridgeadapted to be positioned within said holder intermediate said plungerand said abutment, one of which said plunger and abutment bears againstthe pierced piston closure and theother against the opposite end of thecartridge body, whereby upon relative movement between the plunger andthe abutment in a medicament expelling action said pierced pistonclosure will be forced inwardly into its chamber to forcibly expel thecontents thereof through said canula, the cartridge being reversible endfor end in the holder to position the other chamber in said cooperativerelation between the plunger and the abutment.

7. A medicament cartridge comprising a tube open at both ends andimperforate between its two ends, said tube having an imperforatetransverse partition intermediate its two ends dividing the tube intotwo noncommunicating chambers, and pierceable piston closures for thetwo ends of the tube, said tube being of uniform internal cross sectionfrom the dividing partition to each end, whereby the pistons may beforced into the tube for ejecting the contents thereof through thepierceable piston that is being forced into the tube.

8. A medicament cartridge of the type comprising a tube which is open atboth ends and is provided at its two ends with sealing piston closuresthat are pierceable by a canula and forcible into the tube to eject thecontents thereof through the canula, characterized by the fact that thetube is provided with an imperforate partition intermediate its endsdividing the same into two non-communicating sealed chambers and isimperforate between the partition and the two ends of the tube wherebythe contents of a. tube may be ejected only through a piston closurethat is being forced into the tube.

9. A sealed hypodermic cartridge comprising a tube having a plurality ofseparate non-communicating medicament containing chambers eachpermanently closed at one end and having a pierceable piston closure atthe opposite end pierceable by a hypodermic needle for discharging thecontents of the associated chamber throughthe needle.

10. A medicine cartridge for use in a hypodermic syringe, comprising amain tubular body, a fixed transverse partition intermediate the ends ofthe body and dividing the same into two sealed incommunicable chambers,pierceable piston vclosures at the opposite ends of the tubular body,

said piston closures being pierceable by a hypodermic needle and movableinto the body for ejecting the contents of the associated chamberthrough the needle, said tube being imperforate between its two ends,and said partition being constructed and arranged to retain its positionin the body during movement of either piston closure, to maintain thetwo chambers separate.

. JACOB A. SAFFIR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent NoQ- 2,155,.59h; Aprill l, 1959.

. JACOB A. SAFFIR.

It is hereby certified that the n ame of the assignee in the abovenumbered patent was erroneously described and specified "MultipleCorporation" whereas said name should have been described and specifiedas Multipule Corporation, of Ghicego, Illinois, a corporation ofIllinois, as shown by the record of assignments in this office and thatthe said Letters Patent should be read withthis correction therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the -case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A. D. 1939.

Henry Van Arsdale (seal). Acting Commissioner of Patentm

